Saturday (2nd half)

One of the little towns we went through, we saw this and just had to stop and take a picture. Andy, this one's for you!



I think it's a driving school!!

We continued down the Romantische Strasse, going through many towns that were all built in Medieval times. They all are surrounded by a tall wall, with lookout holes to watch for attacking forces. The wall actually surrounds the city.

One of these walled in cities that we stopped at is Rothenburg ob der Tauber (Rothenburg on the Tauber River). This city is so old it makes your head spin. Part of it was erected between 1250 and 1400 and other parts in 1572. Now think about that, folks. That was before anyone even thought or dreamt about hopping in a boat and going across the ocean to a place occupied by Native Americans. It's just sort of mind boggling when you think how young America is compared to places over here...I mean, just a spring chicken!

We climbed the steep stairs to get to the top of the watch tower area in Rothenburg and as I looked down at the stones where I was walking, it was strange to think of walking the same stones that someone did back in the 1300's. Here's a picture of those stones:



And here's one of the holes in the tall wall that they used to look out of to watch for attacking enemies. I love the shape. It's all carved out of stone.




And another wall opening:




Here's the steep stairs that we climbed to get to the watch tower area:



Janel, as Betsy would say....yikes!!

Another thing that was amazing is that these ancient cities with their stone wall fortresses, weren't bombed and destroyed during WWII when so much of the country was destroyed.

While we were there, there was a festival going on where they re-enacted the times. Here's a photo of some of the people:


So my mission in Rothenburg was to find the exact places that were equal to several pictures that my mom had forever hanging in her living room...and I now have them. They are prints that my cousin, Marilyn, gave my mom back when she (Marilyn) and Fred were stationed in Germany in the late 60's. I think the print is dated in the 20's, but not sure. So here goes...Marilyn, this one's for you:
Here's a photo of the print:



and here's a photo that I took today of the same spot:



pretty awesome, eh?!!

And here's a photo of print #2 in Rothenburg:



And here's the photo I took today:



Don't you just love it???!!! It took some detective work and asking some locals where to find this door...but it was well worth it!! I have 2 more prints from Munich that I'm going to try to duplicate tomorrow...so stay tuned.

We must have hiked a good 5 miles today...which was a good thing.

As we continued south, we started hearing more people say "Gross Gott" as a greeting, instead of the usual German"Guten Tag"...this is because it's a Bavarian greeting and we're getting closer to Munich.

We stopped for the night in a town called Nordlingen. It is also a walled town. Here's a picture of part of the wall surrounding the town:




We tried unsuccessfully to find any internet here...so at this point, Joy, we want to wish you a Happy Birthday...and know that we raised a beer for your celebration! In fact, we did this at a little cafe where we had dinner and ate outside. As I looked up to the building across the street ...there on top of the roof was a stork's nest...it was huge:




We slept well tonight. Note: the beds here in Germany have all been pretty spartan...always just on a platform...sort of low to the ground...and then on top of that, a thin mattress, and then a duvet (a comforter covered by a sheet sack)...very comfy actually. The rooms have all been immaculately clean.


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Location:Romantische Strasse continued